1853.] CONDOLENCE. 355 



lately to the Dean of Hereford, who takes most strongly this 

 view ; and he tells me that there is a school at Hereford com- 

 mencing on this plan ; and that Dr. Kennedy at Shrewsbury 

 is going to begin vigorously to modify that school. . . . 



I am extremely glad to hear that you approved of my cirri- 

 pedial volume. I have spent an almost ridiculous amount of 

 labour on the subject, and certainly would never have under- 

 taken it had I foreseen what a job it was. I how* to have 

 finished by the end of the year. Do write again before a very 

 long time ; it is a real pleasure to me to hear from you. 

 Farewell, with my wife's kindest remembrances to yourself 

 and Mrs. Fox. 



My dear old friend, yours affectionately, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to W. D. Fox. 



Down, August loth [1853]. 



MY DEAR Fox, I thank you sincerely for writing to me 

 so soon after your most heavy misfortune. Your letter 

 affected me so much. We both most truly sympathise with 

 you and Mrs. Fox. We too lost, as you may remember, not 

 so very long ago, a most dear child, of whom I can hardly yet 

 bear to think tranquilly ; yet, as you must know from your 

 own most painful experience, time softens and deadens, in a 

 manner truly wonderful, one's feelings and regrets. At first 

 it is indeed bitter. I can only hope that your health and 

 that of poor Mrs. Fox may be preserved, and that time may 

 do its work softly, and bring you all together, once again, as 

 the happy family, which, as I can well believe, you so lately 

 formed. 



My dear Fox, your affectionate friend, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



[The following letter refers to the Royal Society's Medal, 

 which was awarded to him in November, 1853 :] 



